Oprah Winfrey will usher in the holidays at the White House, visiting President Obama and the First Lady as they prepare for their family’s first Christmas there, on “Christmas at the White House: An Oprah Primetime Special,” airing SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

BURBANK, Calif. (November 24, 2009) — Carolina Lightcap has been promoted to President, Disney Channels Worldwide, it was announced today by Anne Sweeney, Co-chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney/ABC Television Group, to whom she will report. A highly-regarded executive with more than 20 years in the media/entertainment industry, Ms. Lightcap joined The Walt Disney Company in 2000 and most recently served in the dual roles of senior Vice President, Programming and Creative Affairs, Disney Channels Latin America, and Chief Marketing Officer, The Walt Disney Company, Latin America. She will assume her new position within the Disney/ABC Television Group effective immediately and will relocate from Buenos Aires to Burbank.

A versatile and well-regarded executive who, during her career, has been based in Los Angeles, Miami and New York, Ms. Lightcap will be charged with shepherding Disney Channels Worldwide, the global leader in kid-focused, family-inclusive entertainment, through its next period of growth. The Disney Channel global executive team representing Programming and Production, Business Affairs, Business Planning and Development, Marketing, Brand Management, Advertising Sales and Radio Disney, will report to her.

And in recognition of his extraordinary and continuing contribution, Gary Marsh will assume the new title of Chief Creative Officer in addition to his current title of President, Entertainment, Disney Channels Worldwide, remaining in charge of all program development, creative and production, reporting to Ms. Lightcap.

In making the announcement, Ms. Sweeney stated: “Carolina has made enormous contributions to Disney over the past decade, especially in launching and building Disney Channel Latin America into the #1 cable channel in the region. She’s a highly respected member of our global team and her wealth of experience, leadership acumen and programming, marketing and franchise building skills make her the ideal executive to lead Disney Channels Worldwide into the future.”

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Nov. 24, 2009 – For the 10th year in a row, Victoria & Albert’s restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award. As one of only 52 restaurants to receive this symbol of excellence in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean, Victoria & Albert’s delivers “haute cuisine” with seven-course prix-fixed menus, wine pairings and the finest ingredients from the world market.

At the helm of this critically-acclaimed restaurant is 15-year Victoria & Albert’s veteran, Chef de Cuisine Scott Hunnel.

“It takes every individual on the team to achieve such a great honor consistently, from the reservationists to the wait staff and culinary team,” remarked Hunnel about reaching this prestigious milestone. “The secret to our success is realizing that it’s a continuous journey of reinvention in the restaurant and what we’re doing today has to be better tomorrow.”

Only 0.27 percent of AAA’s 60,000 Diamond Rated lodgings and restaurants in North America received this honor for 2010. According to AAA’s ratings guidelines, to achieve Five Diamond status, restaurants must “consistently provide a world-class experience.”

This past weekend, the Tribune reported that on Friday, November 20 two groups (one of which was from of the Disney Wonder) were tied up and robbed of all personal affects at gunpoint while on an excursion through Earth Village in the Bahamas. According to the report, one non-life-threatening injury occurred during the ordeal.

As a result, Disney has actively canceled all upcoming bookings for the excursion called ‘Segway Off Road Back to Nature’ and has removed all mentions of the excursion from the Disney Cruise Line site. Google still currently maintains a cached version of the excursion’s page here.

Just in time for the exclusive engagement of Disney’s The Princess and the Frog in Los Angeles and New York City beginning this week, the soundtrack for the film has been unleashed. With a series of hits and misses over the past 15+ years and Disney taking breaking from its Menken safety net, how does ‘newcomer’ Randy Newman fare for the first Disney Princess in a decade?

“The e-cards featuring new and classic Disney movies are something our consumers have been asking for and we know they’ll love,” said Shelley Mathews, Hallmark e-card manager. “We think the Disney e-cards will resonate with people because they enable the sender to connect with loved ones through some of most memorable scenes from the Disney library.”

Burbank, CA (November 23, 2009) – In support of its new original holiday movie, “Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe,” and the network’s annual 25 Days of Christmas event – the biggest programming event on cable – ABC Family will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record™ for the largest gathering of Santa’s “elves” together in one place! ABC Family’s World Record Elf Party will take place in New York’s The Pond at Bryant Park (Midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues) on Monday, December 7 from 12:00 Noon-2:00PM ET. “Santa Baby 2: Christmas Maybe” starsJenny McCarthy and Dean McDermott will be on hand to help gather over 250 “elves” to set the new world record.

Disney Channel will premiere the music video for Tiffany Thornton (“Sonny With A Chance”) and world renowned star Kermit the Frog’s Christmas duet, “I Believe,” on FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4. Prior to the premiere on Disney Channel, Radio Disney will debut the song on FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27. Thornton and Kermit the Frog will perform the song during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thursday, November 26.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Disney Online, part of the Disney Interactive Media Group, launched a new Web site featuring an original video series from The Jim Henson Company called “The Possibility Shop” (www.FamilyFun.com/PossibilityShop). The site, which can be accessed through Disney.com or FamilyFun.com, also features an array of ideas for family-friendly art projects and activities and will update every two weeks with new seasonal or holiday-based content. “The Possibility Shop” is exclusively sponsored by The Clorox Company for its Clorox2® Stain Fighter & Color Booster, Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes and toilet-cleaning products.

The new site appeals to a broad family audience, tapping into the content and audience reach of both Disney.com and FamilyFun.com. The site will offer a variety of unique themes including Thanksgiving, the holidays, winter activities, party planning, big game day (sports), Valentine’s Day, pets, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fool’s Day, Spring, Earth Day and Mother’s Day, among others.

“This is a great example of how Disney Online can create original content that uniquely appeals to families, and particularly moms,” stated Paul Yanover, executive vice president and managing director, Disney Online. “’The Possibility Shop’ places high-quality original video in an immersive online environment filled with art projects and activities as well as ideas for families to take the fun offline to find their own adventures.”